One of the most beautiful songs ever written

It’s 2021, I’m in hospital recovering from a heart attack. In between Netflix binge, I’m on a 80’s music binge - Tears For Fears, Duran Duran, and of course Spandau Ballet. Thank you 80’s bands.

What an absolute classic .written by gary kemp,as a 53 year ol man from dublin ireland . It brings back so many heart wrenching stories from my country

Still listening in 2024, one of the best ballads ever sang and written

I'm so proud to be 50 years old...because I was so privileged to be part of the 80's and the 90's musical revolution...I wish the kids of today could have been there with me...X

Absolutely one of the most beautiful songs of all-time, in my humble opinion. I get chills without fail every time Tony Hadley busts out: "Now I know what they're saying, as our hearts go to their grave." Bravo Spandau Ballet. Bravo!

This is such a poignant reminder of my teenage years growing up in Northern Ireland. I met and fell in love with a guy from the other side of the divide in Northern Ireland. We tried to make it work but my parents like his were very staunch in their beliefs and past history of our wee country. Where Marty came from was a very republican stronghold and it was dangerous for him to date a girl from the other side of the barricades and if caught he no doubt would of got a punishment beating. Unfortunately the relationship couldn't survive on love alone. With the distance between us and the bitterness shown towards two contentious religions we reluctantly parted. To this day its one of my biggest regrets and I often think of him and what he's doing now. I still have a special place in my heart for him and always will 💕

Nach zwei, drei Akkorden erkennst du dieses Lied und Tränen der Erinnerungen schießen dir sofort in deine Augen😢Du vergisst den jahrelangen Streit der Mitglieder der Band bezüglich der Rechte etc. und denkst dir wieso? Es gibt kein schöneres gefühlvolleres Lied aus den 80er Jahren, welches den Geist dieser Zeit ausdrückt❤️🖖

This song means a lot to me, it's about 2 people falling in love from different sides in the troubles in Ireland, we played this at my father's funeral because he was a farmers son yet the black sheep of the family, my mother was a poachers daughter, the interpretation fits perfectly, my mother was heartbroken when he died, This song means a lot to me.

Nothing written today comes close to the musical prowess of songs like this. Melodic, emotionally captivating, descriptive, expert musicianship. I couldn't tell you the name of one artist that has stood out for me in the last five years that comes close to the quality of music like this.

I am 50 years too and I think the 70 and 80s were brilliant time. We had the best music and TV programmes I feel so sorry for the kids today and my daughter they have just got rubbish. Karen Armitage

Aaahhh, the 1980s the greatest decade in human history. The best moments to be a teenager then. Iconic music, fashion, movies and everything about life. Good times. Better days. Unforfettable. Greetings of love and hope from the Philippines. Long live GEN X!

Incredibilmente bella...ricordi che affiorano nella mente ,tempi che nn ritorneranno mai piu...un saluto a tutti quelli che hanno vissuto i fantastici anni 80 come me.

Tony Hadley is one of the most underrated singers of all time, he has a marvelous voice

A classic.They'll be playing this on KZfaq and radio stations for the next 100 years and beyond.Mark my words : ) November 20th 2023.

Thank you England for giving us classics like this

My wife grew up in Belfast and adores this song. The homage to parents in the first two verses brings a tear to my eyes every time I hear the lines. A timeless classic.

Mother doesn't know where love has gone She says it must be youth That keeps us feeling strong I see it in her face, that's turned to ice And when she smiles she shows the lines of sacrifice And now I know what they're saying 'Cause our sun begins to fade And we made our love on wasteland And through the barricades Father made my history He fought for what he thought Would set us somehow free He taught me what to say in school I learned it off by heart But now that's torn in two And now I know what they're saying In the music of the parade We made our love on wasteland And through the barricades Born on different sides of life We feel the same and feel all of this strife So come to me when I'm asleep We'll cross the line And dance upon the street And now I know what they're saying There's the drums begin to fade We made our love on wasteland And through the barricades Oh, turn around and I'll be there Oh, there's a scar through my heart but I'll bare it again Oh, I thought we were the human race But we were just another borderline case And the stars reach down and tell us There's always one escape Oh, I don't know where love has gone And in this trouble land Desperation keeps us strong Friday's child is full of soul With nothing left to lose, there's everything to go And now I know what they're are saying It's a terrible beauty we've made So we make our love on wasteland And through the barricades Now I know what they're are saying As hearts go to their graves We made our love on wasteland Oh, and through the barricades

I became 21 in 1980, the disadvantage of this is that I am a really old guy now, the advantage is that I have grown with the best music ever; like this masterpiece, thanks.

My mum passed in 2021 from cancer..and this has been my dads song to my mum ever since they got married in 2003 ❤️

What a band Spandau were. Tony Hadley seriously had one of the best voices in British popular music. It just soars. Fantastic record.

A masterpiece written by Gary Kemp after a very emotive visit to Northern Ireland. I have to say I have not heard a more beautiful song for a very long time.

The eighties are unmatched for quality music 🎶 😭

Gary Kemp.The most underrated songwriter ever.What a talent.

This song is one of my absolute favorites from this time when I was young. Today, when I'm 60, I'm still listening. It's like time has stood still. Hello from Sweden!

I'm a 6ft 16 stone bloke and this magnificence makes me cry like a baby.

One of the best ballads ever created... 👌👌👌👌

Although it is about Northern Ireland and I am a Spaniard, I always remember my father who died in 1988, 2 years after this song came out when Tony sings the line "Father made my History, he fought for what he thought would make us somehow free"... Great song, great band

Beautiful song and an example of where a terrible tragedy, inspires something of incredible timeless beauty. It is based of course, on a relationship set against the troubles of Northern Ireland, but was inspired by the song's writer Gary Kemp, visiting the grave of "Kidso" and then walking back down.the Falls Road. "Kidso" was a member of Spandau Ballet's merchandising team who was tragically killed by a soldier on his return to Belfast, after a SB tour had just ended. A case of someone so creative, being inspired by this senseless waste, that something of incredible depth, beauty, timelessness and pure emotion is created that can be an indelible mark on the troubles past, the living present and the hopeful future. RIP "Kidso". This will ensure that your memory will live forever.

Sheer quality .. hair on the back of my heck rising and why are my eyes wet .. I’m 75 years young and have no answers .. heartbreakingly beautiful .. takes me to a happy time ❤️

A great tune this, I’m 53 and a lad of the 80s I grew up in west Belfast where a cruel incident happened that give Martin kemp the creativity to write this song. It goes right inside my heart ♥️

I was 21 in 1982, a wonderful time for me and the hair spray industry. Once a Spandau girl, always a Spandau girl..🥰

For danny 1973-2008 we made our love on wasteland and through the barricades. RIP. Your wife

Growing up in northern Ireland this song is so poignant and beautifully told I have experienced the troubles first hand Always makes me cry. Soi powerful

It’s October 2022 and I’ve been going through some tough times these last 6 months . I’m nearly 50 and this song to me just settles everything and reminds me how far I’ve come. I’ll always love this song.

This song is so sad and beautiful at the same time. Iwas born in 1968 and heard it often in my youth. When I am hearing it today, tears comes down again.

Sono stati la colonna sonora di una storia importante per me .... quanti bei ricordi di gioventù . Gli Spandau Ballet meritano di essere ricordati sempre !!! Ottima la loro musica

Martin Kemp said it was the best song Gary has ever written and Tony Hadley said it was the bands best song! Enough said.

For me, this is the best song made, ever. The lyrics, the structure... It's even from my birth year 1986. How great is that!

One of the most unique songs to come out of that era. Beautiful lyrics and melody. 💕

Ho 50 anni e non smetto mai di emozionarmi con questa canzone stupenda ❤

By far and away the best song they recorded, in a high-quality back catalogue. The hook from Gary Kemp is genius and the way the tension builds is a masterclass. Then, to top it all, there's Tony Hadley's soaring vocals. That "there's always one escape . . ." gets me every time. CLASSIC.

The year 2023..... on duty at the hospital.... and suddenly hear the music of the 80s + 90s. A pleasure for the ears for 5 minutes of silence. They used to know how to make music and even today.... it's still a pleasure for the ears of all the singers + bands of the past.😍😍😍😍🤩🤩🤩🤩

Was für ein wunderbares Lied❤ immer und ewig schön

God bless the british 80 s music. My life would be so empty without all the music from the british talented bands! This music will last forever and that s the mark of real art

"Through The Barricades" Mother doesn't know where love has gone She says it must be youth that keeps us feeling strong I see it in her face that's turned to ice And when she smiles she shows the lines of sacrifice And now I know what they're saying As our sun begins to fade And we made our love on wasteland And through the barricades Father made my history He fought for what he thought would set us somehow free He taught me what to say in school I learned it off by heart but now that's torn in two And now I know what they're saying In the music of the parade And we made our love on wasteland And through the barricades Born on different sides of life We feel the same and feel all of this strife So come to me when I'm asleep We'll cross the lines and dance upon the streets And now I know what they're saying As the drums begin to fade And we made our love on wasteland And through the barricades Oh, turn around and I'll be there Well there's a scar right through my heart but I'll bare it again Oh, I thought we were the human race But we were just another borderline case And the stars reach down and tell us That there's always one escape Oh, I don't know where love has gone And in this troubled land desperation keeps us strong Friday's child is full of soul With nothing left to lose, there's everything to go And now I know what they're saying It's a terrible beauty we've made So we make our love on wasteland And through the barricades And now I know what they're saying As our hearts go to their graves And we made our love on wasteland And through the barricades

Nel lontano 86 ero militare: ascoltavo questa canzone sulla branda con il mio walkman la sera, quando finalmente potevo riposare.. un ricordo indelebile, emozioni che provo tutt'ora. Quanta bella musica oggi è quasi dimenticata..

80s music is and will always be the best. Phenomenal groups like Spandau Ballet are the reason why!

Tony Headley surely is one of the best male voices!!! The song is fantastically touching, masterpiece!!!

I'll be 59 years old on Monday! This song holds a deep meaning in my heart! A child of "The Troubles" I came through! I chose no "side!" Rather I was told by a very wise man to form my own opinion! To not be swayed by those around me! To form my own opinions! I did! I came to know exactly what the word "indoctrination" means! I And now! So many years later (2022) here I am! It's still a very emotive song! It never fails to remind me of how things were! And I'm off to listen again! ❤️

Not a UK resident, but certainly have a sense of the pain and suffering of the people of Northern Ireland for many years. This is a masterpiece of a song. Never fails to hit me in the guts every time I hear it. So beautifully sung.

Beautiful song, especially when you know the story behind the lyrics. Listening today , June 2nd, 2024, Tony Hadley's 64th birthday 🎂

I am 36 this year (2020) and this song reminds me of my late mother. She used to play spandau ballet cassettes in the car when I was a kid. Great memories. I would be honoured to have this as a song for my friends and family to remember me by. Strikes a chord with me like not many other songs could

Tony Hadley's voice sends shivers down my spine. just beautiful.

Beautiful song, that lives long after it was written. Fabulous and, I used to love this band when I was a kid. Now nearly 54 years old. One of my all time favourites

"Through the Barricades" est l'un des plus beaux sons des années 80 que je connaisse. ✨

One of my favourite songs ever and being Irish it strikes a cord. Brings me back to the pain suffered in the troubles. Just magnificent thought prevoking song 💚

One of the greatest songs ever written and performed by one of the greatest bands ever

Tony, you still have one of the best male voices around. The band was and is still superb to listen to, timeless. Thanks for the moments lads.

My 15 year old is listening to music from the 80's and loves it.

The golden voice of Tony Hadley 👍👍👍

As an Irishman this song is very profound. It delves into the innocence of love without race or religion but yet is bounded in the social norms of what Northern Ireland was (or still is to some extent). "We made our love on wastelands...born on different sides of life... so come to me when I'm asleep and we'll cross the lines and dance upon the streets". This refers to the flashpoints and interface areas that divided Protestant and Catholic areas. I was not a native of Belfast or the North of Ireland but regularly passed through and worked there in those times. There was a tension in the air when you see armed men with machine guns..... but still we will cross the lines and dance upon the streets. What poetry for such troubled times and its's true.... there's always one escapes!

Today's pop music really makes you appreciate how good those 1980s band were.

This sounded fantastic live on Radio 2 today on the gorgeous Vernon Kay’s show. 6th feb 20 24

Someone in 2020? One of the most beautiful songs ever.

I had heard this song a handful of times over 20 years, but never really took much notice of it. One night a year ago, I had a dream where I for some unknown reason had decided it was the most beautiful song ever written. I of course watched it many times on YT the next day, and was proven correct. My subconscious had obviously figured it out long before I did :)

I can't tell you how beautiful this song is. I did 4 tours in Northern Ireland between 1977 and 1988 and lost personal friends in units I served with and many other colleagues from other units - The Cheshire Regiment, Parachute Regiment, Light Infantry to name but a few - yet never hated the Republican movement and still don't. Whenever I get melancholy, especially around Remembrance Sunday time, this is one of my go to songs. I honestly don't think Tony Hadley knew at the time of writing this song just how powerful the lyrics are for those of us from both sides who suffered during the troubles. My friend Ted - an Irish Republican living in the UK - has said to me many times 'we shouldn't be friends Dave', but we are and I think that's a great message to send to people who think their differences are irreconcilable, Ted and I wouldn't have been friends during the times I served in the Province, but we are now and that's a great message to send. To my friends who lost their lives - Smudge Smith, Paul 'Cas' Cassisdy RIP - and those others badly wounded and maimed, I will always remember you, even if the twat politicians don't.

Disfrutando de esta música en 2023. Gracias Dios por haber sido adolescente en los 80. Saludos desde 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷

This is one that makes u stop, think and cry. An absolute gem. A TRUE classic. Thanks guys.

What a tune. They certainly don’t make songs like that anymore. Loved growing up in the 80’s, I’m 50 now and it makes me sad to know life will never feel as great as it did back then when this song came out. Awesome tune

My boyfriend passed away of a heart attack in 2020 this was one his favourite songs miss him so much

Wow a flashback born in 66 thought tonight to look for memories...🙏for me one of the greatest ballads ever written and performed by Spandau Ballet ♥️

Listen to the song, how Tony emotes them, then read the lyrics. Magic and glorious. I want this played at my funeral. One of the greatest voices ... under appreciated. Forever thankful.

2021. I'm here. We must keep feeling strong. Stay strong folks. Our time is coming. Hold your heads up high and reject the nonesense.

Real music 🎶🎶🎶🎶

I'm 67 and I cannot listen to this song without crying. About life in general. About suffering. It's a beautiful song always. 🎵

Powerful voice, impeccable apperance- this is Hadley's calling card💖

Per quanto mi riguarda .....una delle più belle canzoni . Mi fa tornare indietro alla mia adolescenza. Semplicemente bellissima !

So many memories wrapped around this song...Glad I was part of that wonderful journey, so many of us here, wooo wooo😍😆🙅‍♂🙅🧔‍♀🙍Have a good life guys, don't get dragged down by the silliness of the present time, but only get the best of it, you can still find some good in it.

"It's a terrible beauty we've made" and as their hearts go to their graves" give me chills each time masterpiece of a song. Always had a crush on Tony, Martin and Gary ❤

Che ricordi....i lenti dei mitici anni '80❤...un saluto a tutti coloro che come me hanno avuto la fortuna di viverli....

Ti tocca il cuore. Ti catapulta d'incanto indietro agli anni '80. Anche se avanti con con l'età riesce ad emozionarti già dalle prime note, a chiuderti gli occhi ed a ricordarti i sogni di allora.....

It's an honor to see this video,now i am 50 yrs.old...reminiscing those days...when i was still young...

Although this song is about the struggles of war, it seems way ahead of its time. My absolute favourite Spandau song. This and Simple Minds Belfast Child.... Goosebumps....

I’m just turning 16 but I’ve learned to appreciate songs like this one because my father taught me to love music just as he loved it and us. This also reminds me that our parents always do their best to give us love, attention and support through the barricades. ❤

Muy linda canción.

When I try to think of the perfect melodic pop song this is the first that comes to mind. An absolute Masterpiece.

This is not only a song, but A Masterpiece!

I remember when I heard this song for the first time back in 1989 as a kid, I thought then it was the most beautiful song i've ever heard and still I do. I still see me, like 7 or 8, in my mom's car as it moved through the road and "Through the Barricades" played, and still feel what I felt and see the autumn sun and how the light played behind the passing trees... The world was changing back then, as East Germany was collapsing while I listened to this song...

Beautiful, Just beautiful - and to everyone who listens may good fortune be your companion.

Arguably one of the most beautiful songs - I love the 80’s music so much

Canzone stupenda, da fare battere il cuore a distanza di tempo.. un saluto dall Italia ☺️

My son loved this song as a teenager, I remember him singing along to it on his ' Ghetto blaster' unfortunately his life ended in the 1980s, never had the chance of growing up. Funny how someone else's favorite songs makes you think of them

"Oh I don't know where love has gone" line gives me chills❤️

Este tema recuerda mi juventud sobre todo cuando estaba haciendo el servicio militar en 1986 en Argentina. Que gratos momentos !!! Felicitaciones a la banda por tan bello tema

Together with my 12-year-old son, we listen to this 80's music, and he is also excited by the quality it has and the feelings it expresses

The fabulous voice of Tony Hadley. What a super group.♥

Has to be one of the most wonderfully evocative songs of all time...

28th December 2022... Few more days to 2023. Been listening to this powerful yet beautifully sad song when I just a schoolboy. Yet the lyrics are still so relevant even now. May everyone have a better year ahead. Be kind, more love, less hate. ❤️

the older we get, the more we long back to the 80s. Unfortunately we can't turn back time but hell yeah we survived and lived the 80s!